A Look At Some Potential Transfer Targets

With the Euro’s now over and the new season fast approaching, the media, rumour mills and wannabe reporters fill our time lines, news feeds, and papers with various transfer rumours. It’s an exciting time for football fans all over the world, debating about who they want to see at their club and who they’d rather see join Arsenal instead!

Whether you are a fan of the rumours or not, you cannot help but get lost in the transfer palaver of the summer transfer window. Here, I will take a look at a handful of some of our most recent supposed transfer targets, dissect what I believe they can bring, and whether we even need to buy them at all. I will be not be looking at Hulk or Modric however, as I believe we know these two targets inside out by now.

Axel Witsel
I’ll begin with our most recent target, Benfica midfielder Axel Witsel. His club have announced that they are likely to cash in on the Belgian international this summer, and of course Chelsea have been heavily linked with the player, along with Manchester United.

Axel is a typical box-to-box midfielder who is very good on the ball, boasting quality technical ability. He has played 242 matches in his professional career scoring 50 goals. At only twenty-three years of age, he shows confidence and maturity on the ball, and tends to play deeper for Belgium.

There is no doubt of his quality, but I personally feel it would be a waste of money, as currently we already contain Obi Mikel, Lampard, Ramires and Meireles who will be in contention for that position, and that’s before we even mention the younger talent we have coming through. I do however think we need to add one more midfielder, but someone who is more creative and attacking minded.

Maicon
Now this rumour has really caused controversy and seemed to have split opinions of Chelsea supporters. It is also one of the stronger rumours with several news outlets reporting the deal is very close to being complete. It looks likely that we could land the Brazilian international for around seven million pounds, which would be good business in my opinion.

Maicon is thirty-years old, sparking claims that he is too old for Chelsea’s transition of a younger squad. This might be true. But you have to look at our youth development. We have Sam Hutchinson and Todd Kane who are both proving their worth, and will be challenging for a starting role this season, deservedly so. With Branislav Ivanovic preferring to play central, we need a right back. But we also need these youngsters to earn their worth as a decent understudy for our main right back for a season or two, like Ryan Bertrand has done for Ashley Cole down the other flank. This has worked for Ryan’s development and I feel it can be the same story if we bring in Maicon, for either Sam or Todd.

Everyone knows Maicon’s story, he is pure class, a true Brazilian right wing back. He’s tough at the back, and more than proves his worth defending. Yet at the same time, he is dangerous going forward, and can help be a part of our new attacking unit that we are building this season. A great buy in my opinion.

Theo Walcott
Another winger we have been linked with. Again, this is a pretty strong rumour; especially as his contract talks have recently stalled with Arsenal. Along with that, Robin Van Persie has today refused to sign a new contract with the club, sparking concerns about their imminent future. If Robin leaves, I believe Theo will follow. They both crave silverware.

Walcott is still only young at twenty-three, and could be a pretty good deal for only twelve million pounds. Having released right-sided winger Salomon Kalou this summer, Chelsea could find room for Theo Walcott, if a deal for Hulk is not completed. I do rate Theo, I think his pace and the ability he has to go past defenders is a good talent to have in your attacking options. He also has a pretty decent finish. On the downside he has been fairly injury prone, and has been criticised for his inconsistency and final ball.

On the whole I am not against the idea of bringing Walcott in, I believe with him still being young, it could be a good signing, but I’m not fully convinced.

Victor Moses
Allegedly Wigan have already knocked back a four million pound offer from Chelsea, and are holding out for a figure nearer the region of ten million pounds. Slightly over-priced for a player who still has a lot to prove. There is no doubt the young winger has excellent emerging talent, but for me I’d rather see Theo Walcott. I’m not against Victor Moses either, but I believe we would be better off spending the money on Walcott.

Moses is a strong attacking winger who is good on the ball, skilful and a real handful for defenders. He has good speed and determination. He also possesses a pretty decent shot. Once again, I reiterate, I would not be against Chelsea signing this hot young prospect.

To round it up, If Chelsea sign Luka Modric, Maicon and Hulk, I’ll be happy. We do need that creative spark in the middle, and Hulk would be an immense addition to our attacks from the flanks. But if these prove to be just rumours, we do need some other additions, along with the exciting prospects of Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Kevin De Bruyne.